RockJam Go 25 Key RJMK review: what can you expect from a $50-ish controller?

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(not sponsored, bought this with my own money) The "RockJam Go 25 Key RJMK" is the cheapest #midicontroller on Amazon amzn.to/4a6WURK right now (at the time of publishing: $40, normal price seems to be around $60). Here's an overview about everything you can expect from this 25 key controller. TOC:
00:00 hello
00:23 built quality
01:43 hardware features
02:53 firmware features
04:13 drum pads
06:40 encoders
08:24 arpeggiator
11:56 looper
12:52 bluetooth midi, mod stick and other noteworthy things / conclusion
14:18 a quick jam using the arpeggiator & dreadbox nymphes hardware synth
15:14 bye-bye
Links:
Rockjam Go 25 amzn.to/4duO7Mn
That mini PC: amzn.to/3UrMo37
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floydsteinberg.bandcamp.com/
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Get 7% off on DistroKid with this link distrokid.com/vip/floyd
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Shop a Huge Selection of Synths and Drum Machines at PerfectCircuit.com!
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Here's what I have in my setup at the moment. Want to have that, too? Please use the followings links and support me:
Yamaha EX5 www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...
Kasser Synths Arcade www.tindie.com/products/kasse...
Intech GRID: intech.studio/
MPC One, Novation PEAK, Reface DX, Source Audio Collider, Strymon Iridium, Zoom MS 70 CDR, Donner N-25, Akai EWI USB, Zoom R20, Zoom H5, Yamaha MT7, Roland Aira:
www.thomann.de/de/thlpg_3wyep...
Some bands / artists I've been following for a long time are (among others) Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, Pet Shop Boys, Archive, A-Ha, Yes, Porcupine Tree, John Mellencamp, Jean-Michel Jarre, Metallica, Peter Gabriel and Perturbator. So my music will kind of sound like those (without ever reaching the greatness of those artists, of course). :-)

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25 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 108

@aguycalledbunny5186 2 месяца назад

This is like a midi controller your mom grabs at the grocery store in the kids aisle because she remembered you wanted one and this one was a good price.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

;-)

@lummsmusik3219 2 месяца назад

lol, exactly this happens every day 😄

@andrewduncan5268 5 дней назад

I didn’t get to learn anything as the presenter sent me to sleep

@mr_floydst 5 дней назад

@@andrewduncan5268 I heard Michael Bay reviews keyboards now

@tonesthebreakdown7995 2 месяца назад

You are inspiring me to finally start learning how all of this works. Thank you.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching! That's nice to hear.

@coolo73 2 месяца назад

Thanks for this video. In 2016 I paid $150 for a Korg Nanokey Studio and loved it. I made a whole EP using it and an ipad while on vacation at the beach. The fact that most of the functionality (and more in some ways) is available for less than $40 makes this an instabuy: bluetooth, looper, CC knobs assignable on the front panel, hardware midi output, rechargeable battery?!?!? UPDATE- It’s on sale at Amazon US for $36. I used some reward points I had also so my final costs was $20 with free one-day shipping. Such a good deal.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Wow, $20 is a very reasonable price indeed. Congrats - this keyboard certainly is very useable. (If only it was possible to change MIDI channels...)

@coolo73 2 месяца назад

@@mr_floydst Yeah that limits the flexibility a bit especially when using it with hardware. I'm sure it's not that hard to remap the midi channels in a DAW, ipad app like AUM, using 3rd party utilities, or a hardware midi patchbay. For $20 I can't complain.

@MrSimonjan78 2 месяца назад

Great video. The mini keyboard looks very, very cheep BUT voice of your singer in the end of this video is just amazing. I love it, very nice track. 🥰🥰🥰

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thank you very much! She'll be glad to hear (read) that! :-)

@JeffIrok 2 месяца назад

After watching this, I found it on Amazon US for $36! (It's still at that price as I write this!) I've had it for a couple days now - so far so good! Thank you!

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

For that price, one really can't complain!

@TrickmanTerry 2 месяца назад

Yep! Also found it for $36. It's totally worth it for $36. It has more features than the MPK minis and at least $70 cheaper. Great for couch jamming or taking it with you and not worry about breaking it cuz if you do, oh well! Hehe

@b.s.7766 2 месяца назад

I already have it. Great for a long trip to carry in a bag together with my laptop. Works out of the box with Garage Band on my iPhone 13.

@KiLLJOY1056 2 месяца назад

Awesome i think im gonna grab it as my first midi controller thing to get into it and see if i like the whole idea, if anything it will be cool to have physical stop/play/rewind buttons for my DAW, and also start learning Piano on the side!

@KiLLJOY1056 2 месяца назад

Omg you did it thank you so much for making this video!!!!! I think im gonna grab this as my first midi keyboard to see its something I want to get into, mostly for the pads and entering some keys for midi and drums. I also want to learn some piano chords so this should help me out as well, not trying to invest a ton if i dont know if ill enjoy using something like this

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

You're welcome! :-) This keyboard should be perfect for what you're planning to do.

@KiLLJOY1056 2 месяца назад

@@mr_floydst awesome thats great to hear, and its even better now that I have your video tutorial of how to use it all! Very grateful

@ChappIOMusic 2 месяца назад

Seems like pretty good value. When I got started I spent about as much on just a pad controller (akai mpd218) on sale.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching!

@KiR_3d 2 месяца назад

I've bought a used Arturia KS-37 for about 110$ in a very good condition. Still glad for that buy :) One little con: it's a bit heavier than I've expected.

@weakend 2 месяца назад

Haha, are you me? Just bought a used one at my local Guitar Center online for $130, and when I showed up they couldn't find the unit so they sold me a new one for $120. It feels like I hit the lotto, gotta enjoy the little wins.

@jimbotron70 2 месяца назад

I have one from Arturia like that, a bit more expensive, but they're so handy and convenient to use.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

That's true!

@croolis 2 месяца назад

This looks very cool and perfect to carry around with my laptop (connected via Bluetooth) or Dirtywave M8 (connected via trs). The Dirtywave is actually an excellent 8 channel polyphonic sound module when used with an external keyboard. Are the knobs rotary encoders? I was noticing you were having issues with timing when playing piano - is the keyboard action that bad? Also, while pressure sensitivity would be asking too much, is it at least velocity sensitive? Thanks for an excellent video Mr. FS :)

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Oh, that was just me thinking about how to continue. ;-) It's perfectly possible to play in a good, stable timing on this. It's just not the most comfortable experience. The knobs are rotary encoders.

@MrSimonjan78 2 месяца назад

Her voice is so lovely so I have to buy this album 😍😍😍

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thank you very much - this is greatly appreciated! I made a seperate video containing only that song but published it on an official holiday, so view count was a bit underperforming ;-) I'll sneak in this song in my upcoming videos, haha, because I firmly believe in the quality of the work of my fantastic co-artists here.

@CalcProgrammer1 2 месяца назад

I haven't touched a piano since I was a kid and decided I wanted to try playing again. I bought this to get started on because it was so cheap, $36 on Amazon, and I'm very happy with it so far. The keys have a lot of travel and feel a lot better than the cheap electronic keyboards I messed with as a kid back in the late 90's/early 00's. The drum pads are a nice addition as well and it works perfectly over Bluetooth as well as USB. I've used it with QSynth on Linux as well as tested it on my Android phone and my girlfriend's iPhone. The only complaint would be that it's only 2 octaves but that's enough to get started on and it doesn't take up a ton of space.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for your feedback - and glad it was what you were looking for!

@tombola3121 2 месяца назад

Hello Floyd, thank you very much for the detailed video! I think the most interesting function is the Midi Looper! Can you set the looper to a different channel than the keyboard, i.e. the loop on channel 1 and the live playing on channel 2? Probably not, right? since there is generally no midi channel choice! A pity! But that would really be an exceptional feature that no other keyboard offers at this price! Do you already know the Miditech Garage Key Pad? It has 25 minikeys, 16 pads! 8 potentiometers and midi channel selection!! And Midi TRS Out! unfortunately no battery operation! It can also be played very well and dynamically, especially the pads are very dynamic! I had around 20 different keyboards, from Akai, to Korg, Miditech and Midiplus to M-Audio and many more 😁 For me the best keyboard is the Midiplus X-Mini series! available with 2,3,4 and 5 octaves! Best regards

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for your feedback! Yes, it's easy to get lost in that market ;-) I didn't look at the Miditech / Midiplus keyboards yet, but they do look like a good value proposition.

@lummsmusik3219 2 месяца назад

Dear Floyd, another interesting DIY gear is the brand new Zeptocore. Very powerful little sampler for little money.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for bringing it to my attention! I might build the breadboard version.

@dwsel 2 месяца назад

What's that thing above the controller? Is it just a preview screen or a mini computer?

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

That's a mini PC, amzn.to/3UrMo37

@dyscotopia 2 месяца назад

That's extremely powerful for the price... And I like the aesthetics. Slightly cheap in the fine details but hard to expect more in such a cheap device. If it had 5 pin midi, I'd consider replacing my old controller with it to save space

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching! You could use adapter cables, but the mechanical stress might damage the socket in real world use.

@MarciaDVL 2 месяца назад

My main interest to get it was the Bluetooth in it! And the rechargeable battery! For the rest , it has enough to go around ! And it is cheap! Good buy, overall! 🥰

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching - glad it prooved to be a good purchase!

@4mb127 2 месяца назад

The MIDI out port is pretty rare for this price point and compactness. Hopefully it still works well for that purpose. The lack of channel or program changes or is worrying.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching! The MIDI port works just fine (I used it to play that blue synth in the end of the video)

@MrMarmar70 2 месяца назад

there is a way to have the "full level" function on the keys too?

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

I'm afraid you can't do that on this keyboard.

@altaccount5931 8 дней назад

Just an interesting point I have found about these, The OEM is a company called Konix and this is a rebadged version of their MD02 model to be exact. (except RockJam chose to go for the MD02T Main board for its Bluetooth functionality) I may approach Konix and ask them if the microcontroller can be reprogramed and if so if a firmware could be released to allow channel changing. Its worth a shot at least right?

@mr_floydst 6 дней назад

Thanks for pointing that out! Got to take a look...

@karakuro298 2 месяца назад

What was that tiny screen with the piano on it? at 3:07 ish

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching - from this videos description: "That mini PC: amzn.to/3UrMo37"

@darwiniandude 2 месяца назад

@6:54 Adjusting the sent MIDI CC's from the built in screen should be table stakes. All midi controllers should have this. Sadly, these days many require computer editors to change that. 20 years ago cheap 'Evolution Midi' brand or Behringer etc, had a 3 segment LED display and you could set midi CC's. This is kind of important if you want to use them with something where you can't remap at the software end - for example giving easy control for Filter Cutoff in a Yamaha QY or a Roland JV-1010. So yeah - I dislike the quality but being USB-C rechargable and with assignable CC# it redeems a few points for me at least :) Thanks for the review.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching! I agree - the firmware features and the variety of interfaces and customization options here are highly unexpected for a controller in this price range. (Though price has gone up since I published this, but there are still plenty of $40 offers to be found)

@kassie2k4 21 день назад

this seems to be just about the only mini keyboard controller on the market that has usb/trs/bt midi and an internal battery- the battery and trs midi make this beat the nanokey studio... i don't really need the pads and encoders and all but they will probably be useful, and i wish it had a latchable sustain button i think ill get it its a good bit cheaper than the korg but the key stiffness and horizontal flex concern me, i guess i could return it if it was unsuitable the inability to change midi channel is a frustrating oversight especially with the 3 different connection methods, if you could have each of its own midi channel plus the pads you coukd have this outputting to several dawless setup devices at once... plus the looper? with a nicer keybed that would make this a top tier product even with a higher price, a shame i missed the ~$40 pricing ill have to pay double that but if it works with everything i have its worth it, thanks so much for this review i wonder if there was ever a firmware update??

@mr_floydst 20 дней назад

Hi, thanks for watching! I think there never was a firmware update ( www.rockjamshop.com/pages/support ) All in all, it's a pretty good controller! The keys rubbing against each other is the only thing that's annoying, but you can get used to it.

@user-jr2on1fg7i 2 дня назад

Can i use this controller with my Digitone?

@mr_floydst 2 дня назад

Yes, that should be no problem. You'd need a TRS to 5pin adapter. USB might work as well but you'd need a special adapter cable as well.

@AnomieDomine 2 месяца назад

Is the Bluetooth midi CME WIDI or CME WIDI compatible (3MS LATENCY) Edit: for $36 I'll test it out. Also getting a lekato usb wireless midi adapter to see how those work together too. Edit 2: I have everything to test, I just have to sit down and do it.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Hi, thanks for watching! I didn't test it with the CME adapters because I don't own those. Please share your findings if you have the time! (Thanks in advance!)

@ElizabethAndrews-nw4mt 2 месяца назад

I can't seem to remove the swing function. Lowest I can get it is 50%. Does anyone know how to remove it? I have already tried resetting pads and keys. I'm using Logic Pro. Thanks!

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Hi - that's not a bug, 50% refers to the "in-between-ness" of the swing note, so 50% is perfectly straight (it's right in the middle between two notes) , while 55% is a nice groovy swing.

@ElizabethAndrews-nw4mt 2 месяца назад

@@mr_floydst Thanks for the reply. But when I play anything faster than a 1/4 note at 50% swing, it does not play evenly.

@ElizabethAndrews-nw4mt 2 месяца назад

OK, I should have figured it out. It's a bluetooth latency issue. Note Repeat works fine at all speeds when plugged into laptop!

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

@@ElizabethAndrews-nw4mt thanks for reporting back! I'm sure this will be helpful for future viewers.

@dwsel 2 месяца назад

I'm kinda concerned about safety of the inexpensive peripherals from generic brands. I'd happily hear some in-depth reviews from cybersecurity person on what exactly happens when you connect it to the USB or install (sometimes) included software. I have an eye for a Worlde controllers or M-Vave, and this issue is holding me back from deciding on trying.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Interesting idea - and we can't entirely rule out the possibility such things happen (though I find it rather unlikely in this particular case - the keyboard registers as a standard USB MIDI device, using drivers provided by the Operating System, and it's not mounted as a storage device in any way)

@jimbotron70 2 месяца назад

Don't use a computer connected to the internet then if these are your concerns.

@gaborb6577 2 месяца назад

The attack mode would be (after a certain random time) activating a keyboard mode, and running a command line to download the script.

@NicolasCharretier 2 месяца назад

Am I the only one this device reminds of the Akai MPK Mini Mk3 (in grey) just a little remapped buttons/encoders side ? Seems decent for such a small price

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching - I think another viewer pointed out the similarities as well. ;-)

@IrregularShed 2 месяца назад

It looks a lot like a Behringer version of an Akai MPK Mini. A LOT like it. I had to check that it wasn't an inMusic brand because the labels above the keys are identical in order and description to my MPK Mini Play, which also has a red mod/pitch joystick, OLED screen, rubbery buttons for Arp and Tap Tempo above rubbery octave buttons... I'm amazed lawyers haven't been involved! And yet I want it. USB C instead of USB A, rechargeable battery instead of 3 AAs, MIDI out (even if it's a TRS jack) and Bluetooth - all things I would like in my MPK! But here in the UK it's overpriced - Amazon have it listed at £80 at the moment (about €90/$100). I'll keep my eyes on eBay instead...

@IrregularShed 2 месяца назад

Oh yes, and the grey colour is straight from an MPK Mini too!

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

You're right, it looks quite like that Akai keyboard (but the arrangement of the pads and controllers is different on that one)

@brianturriff3126 22 дня назад

Currently reduced to £60 in Argos, maybe still too expensive?

@IrregularShed 22 дня назад

@@brianturriff3126 Right now most definitely, I've just had to spend £400 on car tyres!

@KiR_3d 2 месяца назад

It would be an amazing device if it has at least 3 octaves (4 is better!) plus CV outputs! Some analog synths work only with CV and I still miss a versatile controller with all necessary features. It's better than K-37 in the case if you need more knobs and vel. sensetive buttons. But K-37 has CV outs and a bit better quality of keys.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

One viewer mentioned there are bigger models of this keyboard type. I don't know if they have CV ports, though.

@KiR_3d 2 месяца назад

@@mr_floydst Also I've thought if it would be foldable (like a portable table) it could be very handy in trips. Having 4 octaves in a form factor of 2 octaves but a bit thicker.

@blenderbuch 2 месяца назад

So many features i looked for long time. But the build quality and they forgot the midi channel?!

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

I guess you have to cut corners somewhere ;-) I wonder if they could add the channel selection feature with a firmware update?

@boimesa8190 2 месяца назад

I live in the Netherlands... Is it possible to order?

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Please try this link - it should work for you amzn.to/44MBVmx

@boimesa8190 2 месяца назад

@@mr_floydst I'm not sure what's supposed to change?

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

@@boimesa8190 Ah sorry the link doesn't change the language to dutch. But I think as this is a EU shop you should be able to order it there.

@boimesa8190 22 часа назад

On what midi channel do the encoders transmit? @@mr_floydst

@valley_robot 2 месяца назад

i paid 30 quid for my m audio xygen pro mini 32 from CEX it was boxed and brand new

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

That sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

@Zzibbubby 2 месяца назад

In my opinion that's not bad at all for the price

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Thanks for watching - yes, that was my first impression as well. But today I revisited my shopping list and saw the price has gone up by $20. One might feel a line has been crossed ;-)

@Robbie_B 14 дней назад

I will just update this video slightly on the build... They seemed to have tinkered with the manufacturing of this bulid, as I'm happy to report that I have absolutely no linear movement in the keys, as well as there being minimal resistance on pressing down keys. Nor was I able to bend the chassis in any way. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I'm guessing they saw your video 😂 For anyone wondering if this is worth the money.. Yes, absolutely! The only downside is that for the extra £30-£40, Akai's MPK Mini gives you the sync tempo button to whichever DAW you're using. If anyone knows if this feature exists on the Rockjam, do tell! Great value for money, though, folks!

@mr_floydst 14 дней назад

Thanks for your feedback! That's good to know. If the now add a firmware update so one can select MIDI channels, this is a very good keyboard.

@Robbie_B 14 дней назад

@mr_floydst would I be correct in saying that akai has the same channel output, the keys being channel 1 and the pads on channel 10?? I have absolutely no idea why they wouldn't make an extra pair of buttons to cycle through the channels?! Most Daws have ten channels, so why would they only hard default two channels??

@mr_floydst 20 часов назад

That might be the reason they built it like this, but I have no idea why they ommited that feature. It would have been the icing on the cake here, this is a great controller for its price.

@BrendaCreates 2 месяца назад

I don't think this will work with my TE pocket operators.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

I'm afraid you're right, unless you have found a way to make your Operators MIDI compatible...

@cresshead 2 месяца назад

i looked at this before but you can't change midi channel so pointless for my use case.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

Yep, that's an omission. I wonder if they could fix that in a firmware update...?

@NoiseCommander3DS 2 месяца назад

Yeah it's got some nice features otherwise but the fixed midi channel is a problem

@alexandrosroussos 2 месяца назад

I don’t know why 80% of small midi controllers on the market don’t let you change the channel from the unit itself. Especially when they have a TRS midi out so supposed to be used with hardware it’s less of a problem on a PC/DAW.

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

I hope there'll be some kind of firmware update...

@alexandrosroussos 2 месяца назад

@@mr_floydst I doubt any manufacturer would care upgrading their firmware for a device selling 40 bucks though.

@foxcar29 2 месяца назад

for 50 bucks? its great..and have more things than my minilabmk2 xd has got arpegiator ahahhaha and more things ..xd

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

I agree, though I just saw price has gone up to around $70. Which might be a dealbreaker for some. There are still plenty of third party offers around $40 though

@AndrewBeals 2 месяца назад

@@mr_floydst according to CamelCamelCamel, it's "always" (since December) been $70. The singular third-party seller on AMZN US is offering it for $95 shipped.

@riccardogalatolo4877 2 месяца назад

What OSX does it work with? I have an old MacBook 13 with OSX 10.8.6 Mountain Lion

@mr_floydst 2 месяца назад

I'm afraid I can't answer that because I'm not an Apple user. But if I might take an educated guess you should be able to use this with older releases because this registers as a standard USB or standard Bluetooth MIDI device.

@riccardogalatolo4877 2 месяца назад

@@mr_floydst Thanks for the reply 🤩